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Election Commission of India faces scrutiny over electoral roll revision
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is facing intense scrutiny following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded at least 14 objections over a 10-month period regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Critics, including the Constitutional Conduct Group and various opposition leaders, allege the SIR process has led to massive disenfranchisement, potentially affecting 15% to 16% of the electorate, with specific claims that the Maharashtra draft roll omitted 21.1% of electors.
Opposition figures, including Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor, have called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the Commission of undermining democratic integrity and centralizing power through the ECINet digital platform. Some groups have characterized the process as an attempt to exclude marginalized communities, including tribals and minorities.
The ECI has rejected claims of institutional dissent, maintaining that all decisions regarding the SIR were made with the unanimous approval of the Commission. The poll body stated that the reported objections were part of standard administrative deliberations and operational queries rather than formal disagreements on final policy. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attempts to spread confusion and anarchy.
Entities
Election Commission of India · Gyanesh Kumar · Indian National Congress · SY Quraishi · Sukhbir Singh Sandhu · Vivek Joshi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The CCG alleges the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) could result in the disenfranchisement of 15% to 16% of India's electorate. www.counterview.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Former CEC SY Quraishi stated that the ECI's recent press note admits to previous administrative shortcomings. www.devdiscourse.com · samacharnama.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded at least 14 objections over a 10-month period regarding electoral roll administration. www.counterview.net · highlandpost.com · kafila.online · taxguru.in · www.devdiscourse.com · +5 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of weakening democratic institutions through electoral roll conspiracies. www.nationalheraldindia.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed the Maharashtra draft electoral roll omitted 21.1 percent of electors during the SIR process. thesentimes.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The ECI maintains that all decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) were made with the unanimous approval of the Commission. taxguru.in · www.devdiscourse.com · desitalkchicago.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged the SIR process is illegal and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Reports indicated that two Election Commissioners raised at least 14 objections over 10 months regarding SIR decisions and voter deletions. desitalkchicago.com · tennews.in · nagalandpost.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Union Minister J P Nadda accused the opposition of spreading confusion and anarchy through fabricated stories regarding the SIR. nagalandpost.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Congress MP Karti Chidambaram claimed the SIR process is designed to exclude voters and expressed no confidence in Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. desitalkchicago.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Election Commission rejected claims of institutional dissent, stating that queries raised were part of standard administrative processes and all decisions were unanimous. desitalkchicago.com · tennews.in
- [○ 1 SOURCE] BJP spokesperson Anil Patel dismissed Congress allegations of vote theft, claiming the party is politically irrelevant. bhaskarlive.in